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Brian Perkins is the former head news reader on BBC Radio 4. He also read the news during The news Quiz.
He was born Wanganui in New Zealand, and all of his relatives are New Zealanders, although they referred to the England as home. His mother,who played on the local radio station, 2XA gave him a taste "of the fantasy of radio".
His first started working in 1962 in Christchurch on radio stations of the NZBS, 3YA 3YC and sometimes on 3ZB. In those days all the work was continuity functions. When he came to Wellington at the end of 1962 he started reading the news both on television and on radio. The NZBS put him in at the deep end and introduced him to many forms of radio including compiling programmes, commmentary and other functions.
In London he went to Broadcasting House, headquarters of the BBC where he was interviewed and was given a role.
A keen muscian he started on the cello and changed to a double base. In London he went to the Guildhall School of Music. He announced for all the radio networks on the BBC. In New Zealand he played for five of six years for the New Zealand orchestra, whilst announcing on National Radio.
On return to the United Kingdom he worked exclusively for BBC Radio 4. He believes in giving news in a clear and concise way. Once voted the third most popular voice on British radio, but as many people did not like his style.
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